Benzamide Compounds Useful as Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns benzamide compounds of formula (I), wherein R 1  is a C-linked pyrazole ring, which is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from C 1-4 alkyl, C 3-4 cycloalkyl, C 1-4 alkoxy and C 3-4 cycloalkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug form thereof. The invention also concerns processes for the preparation of such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the manufacture of a medicament for use as an antiproliferative agent in the prevention or treatment of tumours or other proliferative conditions, which are sensitive to the inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC).

This invention concerns certain novel benzamide compounds, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are potent inhibitorsof the enzyme histone deacetylase (HDAC). The invention also relates toprocesses for the manufacture of these novel benzamide compounds, topharmaceutical compositions containing them and to their use intherapeutic methods, for example in the manufacture of medicaments toinhibit HDAC in a warm-blooded animal, such as man.

HDAC activity has been associated with a number of disease states, suchas cancer (Marks et al., Nature Reviews, 1, 194-202, (2001)), cysticfibrosis (Li, S. et al, J. Biol. Chem., 274, 7803-7815, (1999)),Huntingdons chorea (Steffan, J. S. et al., Nature, 413, 739-743, (2001))and sickle cell anaemia (Gabbianelli, M. et al., Blood, 95, 3555-3561,(2000)). Accordingly, the invention also extends to methods of treatingany of the aforementioned diseases using the benzamide compounds of thepresent invention, as well as to the use of these benzamide compounds inthe manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of these diseasestates.

In the eukaryotic cell, DNA is routinely compacted to preventtranscription factor accessibility. When the cell is activated thiscompacted DNA is made available to DNA-binding proteins, therebyallowing the induction of gene transcription (Beato, M., J. Med. Chem.,74, 711-724 (1996); Wolffe, A. P., Nature, 387, 16-17 (1997)). NuclearDNA associates with nuclear proteins known as histones to form a complexcalled chromatin. The core histones, termed H2A, H2B, H3 and H4, aresurrounded by 146 base pairs of DNA to form the fundamental unit ofchromatin, and which is known as the nucleosome. The N-terminal tails ofthe core histones contain lysine residues that are sites forpost-transcriptional acetylation. Acetylation of the terminal aminogroup on the lysine side chain neutralizes the potential of the sidechain to form a positive charge, and is thought to impact on chromatinstructure.

Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) are zinc-containing enzymes which catalysethe removal of acetyl groups from the E-amino termini of lysine residuesclustered near the amino terminus of nucleosomal histones. HDACs may bedivided into two classes, the first (HDAC 1, 2, 3 and 8) represented byyeast Rpd3-like proteins, and the second (HDAC 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10)represented by yeast Hda1-like proteins. The reversible process ofacetylation is known to be important in transcriptional regulation andcell-cycle progression. In addition, HDAC deregulation has beenassociated with several cancers and HDAC inhibitors, such asTrichostatin A (a natural product isolated from Streptomyceshygroscopicus), have been shown to exhibit significant cell growthinhibition and anti-tumour effects (Meinke, P. T., Current MedicinalChemistry, 8, 211-235 (2001)). Yoshida et al, (Exper. Cell Res., 177,122-131 (1988)) teach that Trichostatin A causes the arrest of ratfibroblasts at the G1 and G2 phases of the cell cycle, therebyimplicating the role of HDAC in the regulation of the cell cycle.Furthermore, Trichostatin A has been shown to induce terminaldifferentiation, inhibit cell growth, and prevent the formation oftumours in mice (Finnin et al., Nature, 401, 188-193 (1999)).

It is known from the published International Patent Application NumbersWO 03/087057 and WO 03/092686 that certain benzamide derivatives areinhibitors of HDAC. One particular compound disclosed in WO 03/087057 isN-(2-aminophenyl)-4-[1-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl]benzamide [1](the structure of which is shown below).

It has now been found that certain benzamide derivatives that bear anoptionally substituted pyrazole group instead of the pyridyl group arepotent inhibitors of HDAC. In addition, particular compounds of thepresent invention have also been found to possess other favourablepharmaceutical properties, including advantageous cell or in-vivopotency, advantageous DMPK properties (for example, a favourablebioavailability profile and/or favourable free-plasma levels and/or afavourable half life and/or a favourable volume of distribution), aswell as good or enhanced solubility. In addition, the benzamidederivatives of the present invention generally show a particularly lowactivity in a hERG-encoded Potassium Channel Inhibition Assay, which isan indicator of undesirable and serious cardiovascular side effects inthe clinic.

According to the present invention there is provided a compound offormula (I):

wherein R¹ is a carbon-linked pyrazole ring, which is optionallysubstituted by one or more groups selected from C₁₋₄alkyl,C₃₋₄cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy and C₃₋₄cycloalkoxy;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

It is to be understood that certain compounds of Formula (I) definedabove may exhibit the phenomenon of tautomerism. It is to be understoodthat the present invention includes in its definition any suchtautomeric form, or a mixture thereof, which possesses theabove-mentioned activity, and is not to be limited merely to any onetautomeric form utilised within the formulae drawings or named in theExamples.

Where optional substituents are selected from “one or more” substituentgroups it is to be understood that this definition includes allsubstituents being chosen from one of the specified groups or thesubstituents being chosen from two or more of the specified groups.

Suitable optional substituents for R¹ may be present on any availablecarbon or nitrogen atoms within the pyrazole ring.

R¹ suitably carries from 1 to 3 substituent groups. Alternatively, R¹ isunsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” refers to straight or branched chains.The term “cycloalkyl” includes ring structures, but may additionallyinclude chains in the form of cycloalkyl-alkyl groups. By analogy, theterms “alkoxy” and “cycloalkoxy” comprise alkyl, cycloalkyl orcycloalkyl-alkyl groups linked through an oxygen atom.

Suitable C₁₋₄alkyl or C₃₋₄cycloalkyl substituents for R¹ include methyl,ethyl, propyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, or cyclopropylmethyl.

Suitable C₁₋₄alkoxy and C₃₋₄cycloalkoxy substituents for R¹ includemethoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, cyclopropoxy, cyclobutoxy, ormethylcyclopropoxy.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, R¹ is a carbon-linkedpyrazole ring, which is optionally substituted by 1, 2 or 3 groupsselected from C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₄alkoxy.

In a further embodiment of the invention, R¹ is a carbon-linked pyrazolering, which is optionally substituted by 1, 2 or 3 groups selected fromC₁₋₂alkyl or C₁₋₂alkoxy.

Examples of R¹ groups include pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl,1-methylpyrazol-4-yl, 3-ethylpyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-dimethylpyrazol-5-yl,1,3-dimethylpyrazol-4-yl, 1,3,5-trimethylpyrazol-4-yl,1,3-dimethyl-5-methoxypyrazol-4-yl, 1,5-dimethylpyrazol-4-yl,1-ethyl-5-methylpyrazol-4-yl, 1-ethylpyrazol-4-yl, and1-ethyl-3-methylpyrazol-4-yl (subject to tautomerism where possible).

In a further embodiment of the invention, compounds of formula (I)comprise compounds of formula (IA)

where R² is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl or C₃₋₄cycloalkyl, andR³ and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl,C₃₋₄cycloalkyl, C₁₋₄alkoxy or C₃₋₄cycloalkoxy.

It will be appreciated that the ring atoms of the pyrazole portion ofthe molecule of formula (IA) are generally numbered as shown in thediagram above. However, the molecule is subject to tautomerism in thecase where R² is hydrogen, where the switching of hydrogen groups fromone nitrogen of the pyrazole ring to the other, means that substitutedpyrazoles, where at least one of R³ or R⁵ is other than hydrogen, areinevitably mixtures of each tautomer, and that R³ and R⁵ are thereforedeemed to be interchangeable.

In an alternative embodiment, the invention provides a compound offormula (IB)

where R², R³ and R⁵ are as defined above in relation to formula (IA)

Again, it will be appreciated that the pyrazole portion of the moleculeof formula (IB) is generally numbered according to that delineated inthe diagram above. However, as for the compounds of formula (IA)discussed above, the molecule is also subject to tautomerism when R² ishydrogen.

Particular examples R² include hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl,cyclopropyl, methylcyclopropyl or cyclobutyl.

For instance, R¹ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl or cyclopropyl.

In a particular embodiment, R² is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl.

In a further embodiment, R² is hydrogen or methyl.

Particular examples of groups R³ and R⁵ are hydrogen methyl, ethyl,propyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy orcyclopropoxy.

Particular examples of groups R³ or R⁵ include hydrogen, methyl, ethylor methoxy.

Suitably, no more than one group R³ or R⁵ is a C₁₋₄alkoxy.

In a particular embodiment, at least one, and preferably two groups R²,R³ and R⁵ are other than hydrogen.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the compounds have thestructural formula (IA) shown above wherein R² is hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl,and R³ and R⁵ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl,or C₁₋₄alkoxy.

In a further embodiment, the compounds have the structural formula (IA)shown above wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, and R³ and R⁵ areeach independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or methoxy.

In a further embodiment, the compounds have the structural formula (IA)shown above wherein R² is hydrogen or methyl, and R³ and R⁵ are eachindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or methoxy.

In a further embodiment, the compounds have the structural formula (IA)shown above wherein R² is hydrogen or methyl, and R³ and R⁵ are eachindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl or methoxy.

In a further embodiment, the compounds have the structural formula (IA)shown above wherein R² is hydrogen or methyl, and R³ and R⁵ are eachindependently selected from hydrogen or methyl.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the compounds have thestructural formula (IB) shown above wherein R² is hydrogen or C₁₋₄alkyl,and R³ and R⁵ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl,or C₁₋₄alkoxy.

In a further embodiment, the compounds have the structural formula (IB)shown above wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, and R³ and R⁵ areeach independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or methoxy.

In a further embodiment, the compounds have the structural formula (IB)shown above wherein R² is hydrogen or methyl, and R³ and R⁵ are eachindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or methoxy.

In a further embodiment, the compounds have the structural formula (IB)shown above wherein R² is hydrogen or methyl, and R³ and R⁵ are eachindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl or methoxy.

Particular compounds of the invention include any one of the following:

-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-[1-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl]benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(5-methoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(3-ethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,3,5-trimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-ethyl-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-ethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;-   N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-ethyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;    or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

It is to be understood that certain compounds of Formula I above mayexist in unsolvated forms as well as solvated forms, such as, forexample, hydrated forms. It is to be understood that the presentinvention encompasses all such solvated forms that possessantiproliferative activity.

It is also to be understood that certain compounds of the Formula I mayexhibit polymorphism, and that the present invention encompasses allsuch forms which possess antiproliferative activity.

A suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of a compound of the FormulaI is, for example, an acid-addition salt of a compound of the Formula I,for example an acid-addition salt with an inorganic or organic acid suchas hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, trifluoroacetic, citric ormaleic acid; or, for example, a salt of a compound of the Formula Iwhich is sufficiently acidic, for example an alkali or alkaline earthmetal salt such as a calcium or magnesium salt, or an ammonium salt. Afurther suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of a compound of theFormula I is, for example, a salt formed within the human or animal bodyafter administration of a compound of the Formula I.

The compounds of the invention may be administered in the form of apro-drug—that is a compound that is broken down in the human or animalbody to release a compound of the invention. A pro-drug may be used toalter the physical properties and/or the pharmacokinetic properties of acompound of the invention. A pro-drug can be formed when the compound ofthe invention contains a suitable group or substituent to which aproperty-modifying group can be attached. Examples of pro-drugs includein vivo cleavable amide derivatives that may be formed at an amino groupin a compound of the Formula I.

Accordingly, the present invention includes those compounds of theFormula I as defined hereinbefore when made available by organicsynthesis and when made available within the human or animal body by wayof cleavage of a pro-drug thereof. Accordingly, the present inventionincludes those compounds of the Formula I that are produced by organicsynthetic means and also such compounds that are produced in the humanor animal body by way of metabolism of a precursor compound, that is acompound of the Formula I may be a synthetically-produced compound or ametabolically-produced compound.

A suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable pro-drug of a compound of theFormula I is one that is based on reasonable medical judgement as beingsuitable for administration to the human or animal body withoutundesirable pharmacological activities and without undue toxicity.

Various forms of pro-drug have been described, for example in thefollowing documents:—

a) Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 42, p. 309-396, edited by K. Widder, etal. (Academic Press, 1985);b) Design of Pro-drugs, edited by H. Bundgaard, (Elsevier, 1985);c) A Textbook of Drug Design and Development, edited byKrogsgaard-Larsen and H. Bundgaard, Chapter 5 “Design and Application ofPro-drugs”, by H. Bundgaard p. 113-191 (1991);

d) H. Bundgaard, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 8, 1-38 (1992); e) H.Bundgaard, et al., Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 77, 285 (1988);

f) N. Kakeya, et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull., 32, 692 (1984);

g) T. Higuchi and V. Stella, “Pro-Drugs as Novel Delivery Systems”,A.C.S. Symposium Series, Volume 14; and

h) E. Roche (editor), “Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design”, PergamonPress, 1987.

A suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable pro-drug of a compound of theFormula I is, for example, an in vivo cleavable amide derivativethereof. Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable amides formed from anamino group include, for example an amide formed with (1-10C)alkanoylgroups such as an acetyl, benzoyl, phenylacetyl and substituted benzoyland phenylacetyl groups. Examples of ring substituents on thephenylacetyl and benzoyl groups include aminomethyl, N-alkylaminomethyl,N,N-dialkylaminomethyl, morpholinomethyl, piperazin-1-ylmethyl and4-(1-4C)alkylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl.

The in vivo effects of a compound of the Formula I may be exerted inpart by one or more metabolites that are formed within the human oranimal body after administration of a compound of the Formula I. Asstated hereinbefore, the in vivo effects of a compound of the Formula Imay also be exerted by way of metabolism of a precursor compound (apro-drug).

Preparation of Compounds of Formula I

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that it may benecessary/desirable to protect any sensitive groups in the compounds insome of the processes/reactions mentioned herein. The instances whereprotection is necessary or desirable, and suitable methods for providingsuch protection are known to those skilled in the art. Conventionalprotecting groups may be used in accordance with standard practice (forillustration see T. W. Green & P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups inOrganic Synthesis, 3^(rd) edition, John Wiley and Sons, 1999). Thus, ifreactants include groups such as amino, carboxy or hydroxy it may bedesirable to protect the group in some of the reactions mentionedherein.

Any protecting groups utilised in the processes described herein may ingeneral be chosen from any of the groups described in the literature orknown to the skilled chemist as appropriate for the protection of thegroup in question and may be introduced by conventional methods.Protecting groups may be removed by any convenient method as describedin the literature or known to the skilled chemist as appropriate for theremoval of the protecting group in question, such methods being chosenso as to effect removal of the protecting group with minimum disturbanceof groups elsewhere in the molecule.

Specific examples of protecting groups are given below for the sake ofconvenience, in which “lower”, as in, for example, lower alkyl,signifies that the group to which it is applied preferably has 1-4carbon atoms. It will be understood that these examples are notexhaustive. Where specific examples of methods for the removal ofprotecting groups are given below these are similarly not exhaustive.The use of protecting groups and methods of deprotection notspecifically mentioned is of course within the scope of the invention.

A suitable protecting group for an amino or alkylamino group is, forexample, an acyl group, for example an alkanoyl group such as acetyl, analkoxycarbonyl group, for example a methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl ort-butoxycarbonyl group, an arylmethoxycarbonyl group, for examplebenzyloxycarbonyl, or an aroyl group, for example benzoyl. Thedeprotection conditions for the above protecting groups necessarily varywith the choice of protecting group. Thus, for example, an acyl groupsuch as an alkanoyl or alkoxycarbonyl group or an aroyl group may beremoved for example, by hydrolysis with a suitable base such as analkali metal hydroxide, for example lithium or sodium hydroxide.Alternatively an acyl group such as a t-butoxycarbonyl group may beremoved, for example, by treatment with a suitable acid as hydrochloric,sulphuric or phosphoric acid or trifluoroacetic acid and anarylmethoxycarbonyl group such as a benzyloxycarbonyl group may beremoved, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such aspalladium-on-carbon, or by treatment with a Lewis acid for example borontris(trifluoroacetate). A suitable alternative protecting group for aprimary amino group is, for example, a phthaloyl group which may beremoved by treatment with an alkylamine, for exampledimethylaminopropylamine, or with hydrazine.

A suitable protecting group for a hydroxy group is, for example, an acylgroup, for example an alkanoyl group such as acetyl, an aroyl group, forexample benzoyl, or an arylmethyl group, for example benzyl. Thedeprotection conditions for the above protecting groups will necessarilyvary with the choice of protecting group. Thus, for example, an acylgroup such as an alkanoyl or an aroyl group may be removed, for example,by hydrolysis with a suitable base such as an alkali metal hydroxide,for example lithium or sodium hydroxide. Alternatively an arylmethylgroup such as a benzyl group may be removed, for example, byhydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon.

A suitable protecting group for a carboxy group is, for example, anesterifying group, for example a methyl or an ethyl group which may beremoved, for example, by hydrolysis with a base such as sodiumhydroxide, or for example a t-butyl group which may be removed, forexample, by treatment with an acid, for example an organic acid such astrifluoroacetic acid, or for example a benzyl group which may beremoved, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such aspalladium-on-carbon.

The protecting groups may be removed at any convenient stage in thesynthesis using conventional techniques well known in the chemical art.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a process forpreparing a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, which process comprises:

(a) reaction of a compound of formula (II)

wherein the aniline moiety may be appropriately protected;with a compound of the formula (III)

R¹CHO  (III)

where R¹ is as defined herein, in the presence of a reducing agent, andthereafter, if necessary, removing any residual protecting groups thatmay be present.

A suitable reducing agent is for process (a) includes, for example, aninorganic borohydride salt such as sodium borohydride, sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride or sodium cyanoborohydride and hydrogen. Reductiveamination using hydrogen is optionally carried out in the presence of asuitable catalyst, such as, for example, Pd/C, Pd(OH)₂/C, Pt/C, PtO₂ orRh on alumina, and may also be carried out under pressure, for example1-10 bar over a range of temperatures, for example 0-150° C.

Process (a) may be carried out in the presence of a suitable acid. Asuitable acid for process (a), includes a Bronsted acid such as, forexample formic acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, hydrochloricacid, sulphuric acid, paratoluene sulfonic acid or camphor sulfonicacid; or a Lewis acid of formula MQ_(z), wherein M is a metal, Q is areactive group such as, for example, a halo or a sulphonyloxy group, forexample a chloro, bromo, iodo, methanesulphonyloxy,trifluoromethanesulphonyloxy or toluene-4-sulphonyloxy group, and z isin the range of 1-6 and the value of z will depend on the metal M.Typical examples of suitable Lewis acids include boron trifluoride,scandium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate, tin(VI) chloride, titanium(IV)isopropoxide or zinc(II) chloride.

Alternatively, the compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by

(b) reaction of a compound of formula (II),

wherein the aniline may be appropriately protected;with a compound of the formula (IV)

R¹CH₂X  (IV)

in the presence of a suitable base;wherein X is a reactive group;and thereafter, if necessary, removing any residual protecting groupsthat may be present.

A suitable reactive group X is, for example, a halogeno or sulphonyloxygroup, for example a chloro, bromo, iodo, methanesulphonyloxy,trifluoromethanesulphonyloxy or toluene-4-sulphonyloxy group.

A suitable base for use in process (b) above is, for example, an organicamine base such as, for example, pyridine, 2,6-lutidine, collidine,4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine, morpholine,diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA), N-methylmorpholine ordiazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, or, for example, an alkali or alkalineearth metal carbonate or hydroxide, for example sodium carbonate,potassium carbonate, calcium carbonate, sodium hydroxide or potassiumhydroxide, or, for example, an alkali metal hydride, for example sodiumhydride, an alkaline earth metal hydrogencarbonate such as sodiumhydrogencarbonate, or a metal alkoxide such as sodium ethoxide.

A suitable protecting group for the aniline moiety or the piperidinering may be a carbamate such as tert-butoxycarbonyl orbenzyloxycarbonyl.

Particular examples of groups R¹ are as described above.

The reactions defined in processes (a) and (b) are conveniently carriedout in the presence of a suitable inert solvent or diluent, for examplean alkanol or ester such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or ethylacetate, a halogenated solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform orcarbon tetrachloride, an ether such as tetrahydrofuran,1,2-dimethoxyethane or 1,4-dioxan, an aromatic solvent such as toluene,or a dipolar aprotic solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide, NN-dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one or dimethylsulphoxide.

Preparation of Starting Materials Preparation of the Compound of FormulaII

The compound of Formula II above may be prepared by either of thefollowing processes:

(c) The reaction of a compound of the formula (V), wherein the anilinemay be appropriately protected,

wherein X is a reactive group as defined hereinbefore,with a compound of the formula (VI) in the presence of a suitable base

wherein M is a metal, L is a ligand, integer z is 0 to 3, and thetetrahydropyridine ring may be protected; orthe reaction of a compound of the formula (VII), wherein the aniline andthe tetrahydropyridine may be appropriately protected and M, L and z areas defined above,

with a compound of Formula (VIII):

in the presence of a suitable base;wherein X is a reactive group as defined hereinbefore,and thereafter, if necessary, and in any suitable order or combination:removing any protecting groups from the tetrahydropyridine, and/orreduction of the tetrahydropyridine to piperidine and/orremoving any residual protecting groups present.

A suitable protecting group for the tetrahydropyridine ring is a groupsuch as tert-butoxycarbonyl (also referred to herein as “BOC”) orbenzyloxycarbonyl. A suitable protecting group for the aniline moietymay also be a carbamate such as BOC or benzyloxycarbonyl.

A suitable base for process (c) is, for example, an organic amine basesuch as, for example, pyridine, 2,6-lutidine, collidine,4-dimethylaminopyridine, triethylamine, morpholine, N-methylmorpholineor diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, or, for example, an alkali oralkaline earth metal carbonate or hydroxide, for example sodiumcarbonate, potassium carbonate, calcium carbonate, cesium carbonate,sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, or, for example, an alkalimetal hydride, for example sodium hydride, or an alkaline metalhydrogencarbonate such as sodium hydrogencarbonate, or a metal alkoxidesuch as sodium ethoxide.

The reaction defined in process (c) above is conveniently carried out inthe presence of a suitable inert solvent or diluent, for example analkanol or ester such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or ethylacetate, a halogenated solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform orcarbon tetrachloride, an ether such as tetrahydrofuran,1,2-dimethoxyethane or 1,4-dioxan, an aromatic solvent such as toluene,or a dipolar aprotic solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide,N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one or dimethylsulphoxide.The reactions are conveniently carried out at a temperature in therange, for example, 10 to 250° C., preferably in the range 40 to 80° C.;

Metal M may be any metal that is known in the literature to formorganometallic compounds that undergo catalytic cross couplingreactions. Examples of suitable metals include boron, tin, zinc, andmagnesium.

A suitable value for integer z is dependent on the metal M, but isusually in the range 0-3.

Suitable values for the ligand L, when present, include, for example, ahydroxy, a halo, (1-4C)alkoxy or (1-6C)alkyl ligand, for example ahydroxy, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy,isopropoxy, butoxy, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl or butyl ligand or,where integer z is 2 and M is boron, the two ligands present may belinked such that, together with the boron atom to which they areattached, they form a ring. Suitably, the group ML_(z) is a group of theformula —BL¹L², where B is boron and L¹ and L² are as defined for ligandL above. In particular, the ligands L¹ and L² may be linked such that,together with the boron atom to which they are attached, they form aring. For example, L¹ and L² may together define anoxy-(2-4C)alkylene-oxy group, for example an oxyethyleneoxy, pinacolato(—O—C(CH₃)₂C(CH₃)₂—O—) or oxypropyleneoxy group such that, together withthe boron atom to which they are attached, they form a cyclic boronicacid ester group.

A suitable catalyst for process (c) includes, for example, a metalliccatalyst such as a palladium(0), palladium(II), nickel(0) or nickel(II)catalyst, for example tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0),palladium(II) chloride, palladium(II) bromide,bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride,tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)nickel(0), nickel(II) chloride, nickel(II)bromide, bis(triphenylphosphine)nickel(II) chloride ordichloro[1-1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium(II). Inaddition, a free radical initiator may conveniently be added, forexample an azo compound such as azo(bisisobutyronitrile).

Suitably the tetrahydropyridine ring is reduced to a piperidine ring inprocess (c) above by hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is optionally carriedout in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such as, for example, Pd/C,Pd(OH)₂/C, Pt/C, PtO₂ or Rh on alumina, and may also be carried outunder pressure, for example 1-10 bar. Hydrogenation is also suitablycarried out in the presence a suitable acid, for example hydrobromicacid, hydrochloric acid, citric acid, acetic acid and methanesulphonicacid, and in an appropriate solvent or solvent mixture such as, forexample, water, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), methanol, acetonitrileor propan-2-ol.

d) The reaction of a compound of formula (IX), wherein Q₁ is —OH, —Cl,or —O⁻ Q₂ ⁺ (wherein Q₂ ⁺ is a cation)

with a compound of formula (X) in the presence of a suitable solvent andwherein one of the amino groups in the compound of formula (X) may beprotected;

to form a compound of formula (XI)

wherein the aniline may be protected;

and thereafter:converting the compound of formula (XI) to a compound of formula (II) byreducing the pyrindin-4-yl ring to a piperidine-4-yl ring using asuitable reducing agent and/or suitable reducing conditions; andoptionally removing any residual protecting groups present.

A suitable value for Q₁ is —O⁻Na⁺ (i.e. −O⁻ Q₂ ⁺, wherein Q₂ ⁺ is Na).Suitably, one of the amino groups of the compound of formula (X) isprotected by a suitable amino protecting group as hereinbefore defined,such as a BOC group.

Suitably, the aniline is protected by an amino protecting group ashereinbefore defined, such as a BOC group, in the compound of formula(XI).

Any suitable solvent, such as those previously mentioned herein, may beused for the reaction of compounds I× and X.

The compound of formula (XI) is converted to into a compound of formula(II) using a suitable reducing agent and/or suitable reducingconditions. A suitable process is hydrogenation. Hydrogenation isoptionally carried out in the presence of a suitable catalyst, such as,for example, Pd/C, Pd(OH)₂/C, Pt/C, PtO₂ or Rh on alumina, and may alsobe carried out under pressure, for example 1-10 bar. Hydrogenation isalso suitably carried out in the presence a suitable acid, for examplehydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, citric acid, acetic acid andmethanesulphonic acid, and in an appropriate solvent or solvent mixturesuch as, for example, water, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), methanol,acetonitrile or propan-2-ol.

A suitable method for preparation of the compound formula (XI) comprisesthe conversion of the compound (IX) into a reactive derivative of thecarboxylic acid (which may be produced in situ and is not necessarilyisolated), followed by subsequent reaction with a compound of formula(X).

A suitable reactive derivative of a carboxylic acid is, for example, anacyl halide, for example an acyl chloride formed by the reaction of theacid and an inorganic acid chloride, for example thionyl chloride; amixed anhydride, for example an anhydride formed by the reaction of theacid and a chloroformate such as isobutyl chloroformate; an activeester; the product of the reaction of the acid and a carbodiimide suchas dicyclohexylcarbodiimide; or the product of the reaction of an acidwith 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazinyl-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholiniumchloride (DMTMM), or the product of the reaction of an acid with1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI).

Compounds of formulae (III) and (IV) are either obtainable fromcommercial sources, for example Fluorochem Ltd, Old Glossop, DerbyshireSK13 7RY, UK, or they may be synthesised using methods which are knownto those skilled in the art and/or reported in the literature, forexample Makino, K.; Kim, H. S and Kurasawa Y; J. Heterocyclic Chem.1998, 35, 489-497 and references therein.

Assays

The following assays (a) to (c) can be used to measure the effects ofone or more of the compounds of the present invention as HDACinhibitors, as inhibitors in vitro of recombinant human HDAC1 producedin Hi5 insect cells, and as inducers in vitro & in vivo of Histone H3acetylation in whole cells and tumours. They also assess the ability ofsuch compounds to inhibit proliferation of human tumour cells.

(a) In Vitro Enzyme Assay of recombinant HDAC1

HDAC inhibitors were screened against recombinant human HDAC1 producedin Hi5 insect cells. The enzyme was cloned with a FLAG tag at theC-terminal of the gene and affinity purified using Anti-FLAG M2 agarosefrom SIGMA (A2220).

The deacetylase assays were carried out in a 50 μl reaction. HDAC1 (75ng of enzyme) diluted in 15 μl of reaction buffer (25 mM Tris HCl (pH8), 137 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl, 1 mM MgCl₂) was mixed with either bufferalone (10 μl) or buffer containing compound (10 μl) for 30 minutes atambient temperature. 25 μM acetylated histone H4 peptide (KI 174 Biomol)diluted in 25 μl of buffer was then added to the reaction and incubatedfor one hour at ambient temperature. The reaction was stopped byaddition of an equal volume (50 μl) of Fluor de Lys developer (Biomol)containing Trichostatin A at 2 μM. The reaction was allowed to developfor 30 minutes at ambient temperature and then fluorescence measured atan excitation wavelength of 360 nM and an emission wavelength of 465 nM.IC₅₀ values for HDAC enzyme inhibitors were determined by performingdose response curves with individual compounds and determining theconcentration of inhibitor producing fifty percent decrease in themaximal signal (diluent control).

(b) In Vitro Assay of Inhibition of Proliferation in Whole Cells

Inhibition of proliferation in whole cells was assayed using the Promegacell titer 96 aqueous proliferation assay (Promega #G5421). HCT116 cellswere seeded in 96 well plates at 1×10³ cells/well, and allowed to adhereovernight. They were treated with inhibitors for 72 hours. 20 μl of thetetrazolium dye MTS was added to each well and the plates werere-incubated for 3 hours. Absorbance was then measured on a 96 wellplate reader at 490 nM. The IC₅₀ values for HDAC inhibitors weredetermined by performing dose response curves with individual compoundsand determining the concentration of inhibitor producing fifty percentdecrease in the maximal signal (diluent control).

(c) In Vitro Enzyme Assay of Histone Deacetylase activity in whole cells

Histone H3 acetylation in whole cells was measured usingimmunohistochemistry and analysis using the Cellomics arrayscan. A549 orHCT116 cells were seeded in 96 well plates at 1×10⁴ cells/well, andallowed to adhere overnight. They were treated with inhibitors for 24hours and then fixed in 1.8% formaldehyde in tris buffered saline (TBS)for one hour. Cells were permeabilized with ice-cold methanol for 5minutes, rinsed in TBS and then blocked in TBS 3% low-fat dried milk for90 minutes. Cells were then incubated with polyclonal antibodiesspecific for the acetylated histone H3 (Upstate #06-599) diluted 1 in500 in TBS 3% milk for one hour. Cells were rinsed three times in TBSand then incubated with fluorescein conjugated secondary antibodies(Molecular Probes #A11008) & Hoechst 333542 (1 μg/ml) (Molecular Probes#H3570) in TBS plus 1% Bovine serum albumin (Sigma #B6917) for one hour.Unbound antibody was removed by three rinses with TBS and after thefinal rinse 100 μl of TBS was added to the cells and the plates sealedand analysed using the Cellomics arrayscan.

EC₅₀ values for HDAC inhibitors were determined by performing doseresponse curves with individual compounds and then determining theconcentration of inhibitor producing fifty percent of the maximal signal(reference compound control-Trichostatin A (Sigma)).

The HERG activity and solubility of the compounds of the invention canalso be evaluated using assays (d) to (f) set out below:

(d) hERG-Encoded Potassium Channel Inhibition Assay

Cell Culture

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells expressing the hERG-encoded channelwere grown to semi-confluence at 37° C. in a humidified environment (5%CO₂) in F-12 Ham medium containing L-glutamine, 10% Foetal Calf Serum(FCS) and 0.6 mg/ml Hygromycin (all Sigma). Prior to use the monolayerwas washed using a pre-warmed (37° C.) 3 ml aliquot of Versene 1:5,000(Invitrogen). After aspiration of this solution, the flask was incubatedat 37° C. in an incubator with a further 2 ml of Versene 1:5,000 for aperiod of 6 minutes. Cells were then detached from the bottom of theflask by gentle tapping and 10 ml of Dulbecco's-PBS containing calcium(0.9 mM) and magnesium (0.5 mM) (PBS) (Invitrogen) was then added to theflask and aspirated into a 15 ml centrifuge tube prior to centrifugation(50 g, for 4 minutes).

The resulting supernatant was discarded and the pellet gentlyre-suspended in a 3 ml aliquot of PBS. A 0.5 ml aliquot of cellsuspension was removed for automated cell counting (Innovatis Cedex) andthe final cell suspension volume adjusted with PBS to give the desiredfinal cell concentration.

Electrophysiology

The principles and operation of this device have been describedpreviously (Schroeder et al., Journal of Biomolecular Screening (2003)8(1), 50-64). Briefly, the technology is based on a 384-well plate(PatchPlate™) in which a recording is attempted in each well by usingsuction to try to position and hold a cell on a small hole separatingtwo isolated fluid chambers. Once sealing has taken place, the solutionon the underside of the PatchPlate™ is changed to one containing theamphotericin B (Sigma). This permeablises the patch of cell membranecovering the hole in each well and in effect allows a perforated,whole-cell patch clamp recording to be attempted in each well.

For each run of IonWorks™ HT it was operated in the following way atroom temperature (˜21° C.). The “boat” in the “Buffer” position wasloaded with 4 ml of PBS and that in the “Cells” position with theCHO-HERG cell suspension described above. A 96-well plate (V-bottom,Greiner Bio-one) containing the compounds to be tested (at 3× theirfinal test concentration) was placed in the “Plate 1” position and aPatchPlate™ was placed in the device and held in position using thePatchplate™ cover.

Each compound plate was laid-out to enable ten, 8-point concentrationeffect-curves to be constructed; the remaining two columns on the platewere taken up with vehicle (0.33% DMSO), to define the assay baseline,and a supra-maximal blocking concentration of cisapride (10 μM), todefine the 100% inhibition level. The Fluidics-head (F-Head) ofIonWorks™ HT then added 3.5 μl of PBS to each well of the PatchPlate™and its underside was perfused with “Internal” solution that had thefollowing composition (in mM): K-Gluconate 100, KCl 40, MgCl₂ 3.2, EGTA3and HEPES 5 (all Sigma) (pH 7.25-7.30 using 10 M KOH). After priming andde-bubbling, the Electronics-head (E-head) then moved round thePatchPlate™ to do a hole test (i.e. apply a voltage pulse to determinewhether the hole in each well was open). The F-head then dispensed 3.5μl of the cell suspension described above into each well of thePatchPlate™ and the cells were given 200 seconds to reach and seal tothe hole in each well. The E-head then moved round the PatchPlate™ todetermine the seal resistance obtained in each well.

The solution on the underside of the PatchPlate™ was then changed to“Access” solution that had the following composition (in mM): KCl 140,EGTA 1, MgCl₂ 1 and HEPES 20 (all Sigma) (pH 7.25-7.30 using 10 M KOH)plus 100 μg/ml of amphotericin B. After 9 minutes to allow patchperforation to take place, the E-head then moved around all 384 wells ofthe patch plate to obtain pre-compound hERG current measurements. TheF-head then added 3.5 μl of solution from each well of the compoundplate to 4 wells on the PatchPlate™. It was programmed to start with themost dilute well on the compound plate and move to the most concentratedwell to minimise the impact of any carry-over issues.

After approximately three and a half minutes incubation, the E-head thenmoved around all 384-wells of the PatchPlate™ to obtain post-compoundHERG current measurements. In this way, non-cumulativeconcentration-effect curves could be produced where, providing theacceptance criteria were achieved in a sufficient percentage of wells(see below), the effect of each concentration of test compound was basedon recording from between 1 and 4 cells.

The acceptance criteria for each well were: pre-scan seal resistance >60MΩ, pre-scan HERG tail current amplitude >0.15 nA; post-scan sealresistance >60 MΩ. The pre- and post-compound hERG current was evoked bya voltage pulse consisting of a 20 s period holding at −70 mV, a 160 msstep to −60 mV, a 100 ms step back to −70 mV, a 1 s step to +40 mV, a 2s step to −30 mV and finally a 500 ms step to −70 mV. In between thepre- and post-compound voltage pulses there was no clamping of themembrane potential.

e) Assessment of Aqueous Solubility.

Test compound (from 1 to 1.6 mgs) is weighed into a vial and 1 ml of 0.1M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) is added. Between 1.0 and 1.6 mgs of testcompound is concurrently dissolved in 1.8 mls DMSO in a vial, for use asa calibration solution. Both solutions are stirred for 24 hours at 25°C. The saturated aqueous solution and DMSO calibration solution are thentransferred into deep 96-well plates. The saturated buffer solutionplate is centrifuged at a relative centrifugal force of 4310 g and thenthe aqueous supernatant is transferred into a second deep well plate andcentrifuged. After a further transfer of the aqueous supernatant and 50%dilution with buffer, the final sample plate and DMSO calibration plateare analysed using HPLC-UV-MS. Quantification of the sample solubilityis by comparison of sample and calibration UK peak areas at 250 nm(alternative wavelength selected if 250 nm is unsuitable) with MSconfirmation of the compound Id.

f) Assessment of Aqueous Solubility in Buffers and Simulated IntestinalFluid.

Solubility is tested in the following medium at the specifiedtemperatures:

Simulated Intestinal Fluid (Fasted) FaSSIF (Galia and Dressman et al,Pharms Res, 15(5), 1998, p 698).

Sodium Taurocholate (3 mM); Egg Lecithin (0.75 mM); KH₂PO₄ (0.03 M); KCl(0.1 M);NaOH (to adjust to pH 6.5). Measured at 37° C.Sørensen's Phosphate Buffer (Handbook of Biochemistry, pg 234-237).Solution A 0.067 M Monopotassium phosphateSolution B 0.067 M Disodium phosphate

Measured at 25° C. and 37° C.

Appropriate quantities (determined from solubility test (f) above and/orpredicted pH solubility curve) of the compound under investigation areaccurately weighed in duplicate into 2-dram glass vials.

To each set of replicate vials, a minimum of 1.50 ml of the appropriatemedium which is added pH 6.8 Sørensen's Phosphate Buffer or FaSSIF. Allweighings must be sufficient to saturate the medium in each case.

A PTFE coated magnetic follower is added to each vial before they aresealed and placed on a Variomag magnetic reaction stirrer block(CanLab). The stirrer blocks are maintained at the appropriatetemperature (see above), covered in aluminium foil to reduce exposure tolight and stirred in alternate directions at 800 r.p.m.

Each vial is sampled at the prescribed time point for the media beingtested. Firstly the pH and then the active content in each sample isdetermined at each time point in the following way.pH

Using a suitable pH meter (Hydrus 400-Fisher), electrode and standard pHbuffers, calibrate the instrument at pH 4.01 and 7.00 at ambienttemperature.

By placing the electrode in each replicate sample, determine the pH atambient temperature and report the result to one decimal place. Theelectrode is rinsed with de-ionised water and wiped dry betweendeterminations.

Active Content by HPLC

From each sample, a 0.4 ml aliquot is transferred to a polycarbonateultracentrifuge tube (Beckman). The samples are spun at 40 000 r.p.m.for 15 minutes at the appropriate temperature for the media being testedusing the TL Optima Ultracentrifuge (Beckman). The supernatant from eachultracentrifuge tube is transferred to a second ultracentrifuge tube andspun once more under the same conditions.

The supernatant from each sample is analysed under the optimised HPLCmethod for the compound under investigation and the active contentdetermined against an external standard. The supernatant may requirediluting with a suitable solvent to bring the concentration within thelinear range of the HPLC method. This can normally be estimated from theaqueous predicted pH solubility curve and in the case of the co-solventsfrom the amount of compound that has been added.

Although the pharmacological properties of the compounds of the FormulaI vary with structural change as expected, in general activity possessedby compounds of the Formula I, may be demonstrated at the followingconcentrations or doses in one or more of the above tests (a), (b), (c)or (d):—

Test (a):- IC₅₀ in the range, for example, 100 nM or less; Test (b):-IC₅₀ in the range, for example, 1 μM or less; Test (c):- IC₅₀ in therange, for example, 1 μM or less; Test (d):- IC₅₀ of, for example,greater than 30 μM.

By way of example, using Test (a) for the inhibition of HDAC1 and Test(b) for the inhibition of proliferation in whole cells, the compounddescribed in Example 4 herein gave the IC₅₀ results shown below in TableA below. The table also includes the corresponding result forN-(2-aminophenyl)-4-(1-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl)benzamide(Compound [1] above):

TABLE A IC₅₀ Test (b) IC₅₀ Test (a) (In vitro assay for the Compound of(In vitro assay for the inhibition of whole cell Example inhibition ofHDAC1) proliferation) 4 0.081 μM 0.508 μM Comparative  0.1 μM 1.433 μMCompound 1

No physiologically unacceptable toxicity was observed in Test (d) at theeffective dose for compounds tested of the present invention.Accordingly no untoward toxicological effects are expected when acompound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, isadministered at the dosage ranges defined hereinafter.

In addition, although the solubility of the compounds of formula I willinevitably vary with structural change as expected, the compounds offormula I, in general, possess a solubility measured by test (e) aboveof, for example, greater than 100 μM.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided apharmaceutical composition, which comprises a compound of the formula(I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, asdefined hereinbefore in association with a pharmaceutically-acceptablediluent or carrier.

The compositions of the invention may be in a form suitable for oral use(for example as tablets, lozenges, hard or soft capsules, aqueous oroily suspensions, emulsions, dispersible powders or granules, syrups orelixirs), for topical use (for example as creams, ointments, gels, oraqueous or oily solutions or suspensions), for administration byinhalation (for example as a finely divided powder or a liquid aerosol),for administration by insufflation (for example as a finely dividedpowder) or for parenteral administration (for example as a sterileaqueous or oily solution for intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular orintramuscular dosing or as a suppository for rectal dosing).

The compositions of the invention may be obtained by conventionalprocedures using conventional pharmaceutical excipients, well known inthe art. Thus, compositions intended for oral use may contain, forexample, one or more colouring, sweetening, flavouring and/orpreservative agents.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients for a tablet formulationinclude, for example, inert diluents such as lactose, sodium carbonate,calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate, granulating and disintegratingagents such as corn starch or algenic acid; binding agents such asstarch; lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid ortalc; preservative agents such as ethyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, andanti-oxidants, such as ascorbic acid. Tablet formulations may beuncoated or coated either to modify their disintegration and thesubsequent absorption of the active ingredient within thegastrointestinal track, or to improve their stability and/or appearance,in either case, using conventional coating agents and procedures wellknown in the art.

Compositions for oral use may be in the form of hard gelatin capsules inwhich the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, forexample, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as softgelatin capsules in which the active ingredient is mixed with water oran oil such as peanut oil, liquid paraffin, soya bean oil, coconut oil,or preferably olive oil, or any other acceptable vehicle.

Aqueous suspensions generally contain the active ingredient in finelypowdered form together with one or more suspending agents, such assodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone,gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents such aslecithin or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids(for example polyoxyethylene stearate), or condensation products ofethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for exampleheptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxidewith partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such aspolyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products ofethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for exampleheptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxidewith partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such aspolyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products ofethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitolanhydrides, for example polyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The aqueoussuspensions may also contain one or more preservatives (such as ethyl orpropyl p-hydroxybenzoate, anti-oxidants (such as ascorbic acid),colouring agents, flavouring agents, and/or sweetening agents (such assucrose, saccharine or aspartame).

Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredientin a vegetable oil (such as arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil orcoconut oil) or in a mineral oil (such as liquid paraffin). The oilysuspensions may also contain a thickening agent such as beeswax, hardparaffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents such as those set outabove, and flavouring agents may be added to provide a palatable oralpreparation. These compositions may be preserved by the addition of ananti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid.

Dispersible or lyophilised powders and granules suitable for preparationof an aqueous suspension or solution by the addition of water generallycontain the active ingredient together with a dispersing or wettingagent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Suitabledispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified bythose already mentioned above. Additional excipients such as sweetening,flavouring and colouring agents, may also be present.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the formof oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, suchas olive oil or arachis oil, or a mineral oil, such as for exampleliquid paraffin or a mixture of any of these. Suitable emulsifyingagents may be, for example, naturally-occurring gums such as gum acaciaor gum tragacanth, naturally-occurring phosphatides such as soya bean,lecithin, an esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids andhexitol anhydrides (for example sorbitan monooleate) and condensationproducts of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide such aspolyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also containsweetening, flavouring and preservative agents.

Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents such asglycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, aspartame or sucrose, and may alsocontain a demulcent, preservative, flavouring and/or colouring agent.

The pharmaceutical compositions may also be in the form of a sterileinjectable aqueous or oily suspension, solutions, emulsions orparticular systems, which may be formulated according to knownprocedures using one or more of the appropriate dispersing or wettingagents and suspending agents, which have been mentioned above. A sterileinjectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution orsuspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent,for example a solution in polyethylene glycol.

Suppository formulations may be prepared by mixing the active ingredientwith a suitable non-irritating excipient which is solid at ordinarytemperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will thereforemelt in the rectum to release the drug. Suitable excipients include, forexample, cocoa butter and polyethylene glycols.

Topical formulations, such as creams, ointments, gels and aqueous oroily solutions or suspensions, may generally be obtained by formulatingan active ingredient with a conventional, topically acceptable, vehicleor diluent using conventional procedure well known in the art.

Compositions for administration by insufflation may be in the form of afinely divided powder containing particles of average diameter of, forexample, 30 μm or much less preferably 5 μm or less and more preferablybetween 5 μm and 1 μm, the powder itself comprising either activeingredient alone or diluted with one or more physiologically acceptablecarriers such as lactose. The powder for insufflation is thenconveniently retained in a capsule containing, for example, 1 to 50 mgof active ingredient for use with a turbo-inhaler device, such as isused for insufflation of the known agent sodium cromoglycate.

Compositions for administration by inhalation may be in the form of aconventional pressurised aerosol arranged to dispense the activeingredient either as an aerosol containing finely divided solid orliquid droplets. Conventional aerosol propellants such as volatilefluorinated hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons may be used and the aerosoldevice is conveniently arranged to dispense a metered quantity of activeingredient.

For further information on formulation the reader is referred to Chapter25.2 in Volume 5 of Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry (Corwin Hansch;Chairman of Editorial Board), Pergamon Press 1990.

In general the above compositions may be prepared in a conventionalmanner using conventional excipients.

The compound of formula (I) will normally be administered to awarm-blooded animal at a unit dose within the range 5-5000 mg/m² bodyarea of the animal, i.e. approximately 0.1-100 mg/kg, and this normallyprovides a therapeutically-effective dose. A unit dose form such as atablet or capsule will usually contain, for example 1-250 mg of activeingredient. Preferably a daily dose in the range of 1-50 mg/kg isemployed. However the daily dose will necessarily be varied dependingupon the host treated, the particular route of administration, and theseverity of the illness being treated. Accordingly the optimum dosagemay be determined by the practitioner who is treating any particularpatient.

We have found that the compounds defined in the present invention, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, are effective cell cycleinhibitors (anti-cell proliferation agents), and this property isbelieved to arise from their HDAC inhibitory activity. We also believethat the compounds of the present invention may be involved in theinhibition of angiogenesis, activation of apoptosis and differentiation.Accordingly the compounds of the present invention are expected to beuseful in the treatment of diseases or medical conditions mediated aloneor in part by HDAC enzymes, i.e. the compounds may be used to produce aHDAC inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal in need of suchtreatment. Thus, the compounds of the present invention provide a methodfor treating the proliferation of malignant cells characterised byinhibition of HDAC enzymes, i.e. the compounds may be used to produce ananti-proliferative effect mediated alone or in part by the inhibition ofHDACs.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided acompound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt orpro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore for use in a method oftreatment of the human or animal body by therapy.

Thus according to a further aspect of the invention there is provided acompound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt orpro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore for use as a medicament.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided the useof a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltor pro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of amedicament for use in the production of a HDAC inhibitory effect in awarm-blooded animal such as man.

According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention there isprovided a method for producing a HDAC inhibitory effect in awarm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment whichcomprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compoundof the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drugthereof, as defined hereinbefore.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided the useof a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltor pro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of amedicament for use in the production of a cell cycle inhibitory(anti-cell-proliferation) effect in a warm-blooded animal such as man.

According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention there isprovided a method for producing a cell cycle inhibitory(anti-cell-proliferation) effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man,in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animalan effective amount of a compound of the formula (I), or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, as definedhereinbefore.

According to an additional feature of this aspect of the invention thereis provided a method of treating cancer in a warm-blooded animal, suchas man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to saidanimal an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I), or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, as definedhereinbefore.

According to a further feature of the invention there is provided acompound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt orpro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of amedicament for use in the treatment of cancer. According to anadditional feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided acompound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt orpro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore, for use in the treatment ofcancer.

According to an additional feature of this aspect of the invention thereis provided the use of a compound of the formula (I), or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, as definedhereinbefore, for use in the manufacture of a medicament for thetreatment of cancer.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided the useof a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltor pro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore, in the manufacture of amedicament for use in lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer,prostate cancer, lymphoma and/or leukaemia.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a methodof treating lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostatecancer, lymphoma or leukaemia, in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, inneed of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal aneffective amount of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore.

Cancers that are amenable to treatment with the present inventioninclude oesophageal cancer, myeloma, hepatocellular, pancreatic andcervical cancer, Ewings tumour, neuroblastoma, kaposis sarcoma, ovariancancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, bladdercancer, melanoma, lung cancer [including non small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC)], gastric cancer, head andneck cancer, brain cancer, renal cancer, lymphoma and leukaemia.

The HDAC inhibitory activity defined hereinbefore may be applied as asole therapy or may involve, in addition to a compound of the invention,one or more other substances and/or treatments. Such conjoint treatmentmay be achieved by way of the simultaneous, sequential or separateadministration of the individual components of the treatment. In thefield of medical oncology it is normal practice to use a combination ofdifferent forms of treatment to treat each patient with cancer. Inmedical oncology the other component(s) of such conjoint treatment inaddition to the cell cycle inhibitory treatment defined hereinbefore maybe: surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Such chemotherapy may includeone or more of the following categories of anti-tumour agents:

(i) antiproliferative/antineoplastic drugs and combinations thereof, asused in medical oncology, such as alkylating agents (for examplecis-platin, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, nitrogen mustard, melphalan,chlorambucil, busulphan and nitrosoureas); antimetabolites (for exampleantifolates such as fluoropyrimidines like 5-fluorouracil and tegafur,raltitrexed, methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside and hydroxyurea;antitumour antibiotics (for example anthracyclines like adriamycin,bleomycin, doxorubicin, daunomycin, epirubicin, idarubicin, mitomycin-C,dactinomycin and mithramycin); antimitotic agents (for example vincaalkaloids like vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine and vinorelbine andtaxoids like taxol and taxotere); and topoisomerase inhibitors (forexample epipodophyllotoxins like etoposide and teniposide, amsacrine,topotecan and camptothecin);(ii) cytostatic agents such as antioestrogens (for example tamoxifen,toremifene, raloxifene, droloxifene and iodoxyfene), oestrogen receptordown regulators (for example fulvestrant), antiandrogens (for examplebicalutamide, flutamide, nilutamide and cyproterone acetate), LHRHantagonists or LHRH agonists (for example goserelin, leuprorelin andbuserelin), progestogens (for example megestrol acetate), aromataseinhibitors (for example as anastrozole, letrozole, vorazole andexemestane) and inhibitors of 5α-reductase such as finasteride;(iii) Agents which inhibit cancer cell invasion (for examplemetalloproteinase inhibitors like marimastat and inhibitors of urokinaseplasminogen activator receptor function);(iv) inhibitors of growth factor function, for example such inhibitorsinclude growth factor antibodies, growth factor receptor antibodies (forexample the anti-erbb2 antibody trastuzumab [Herceptin™] and theanti-erbb1 antibody cetuximab [C225]), farnesyl transferase inhibitors,MEK inhibitors, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and serine/threonine kinaseinhibitors, for example inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor family(for example EGFR family tyrosine kinase inhibitors such asN-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholinopropoxy)quinazolin-4-amine(gefitinib,),N-(3-ethynylphenyl)-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)quinazolin-4-amine(erlotinib, OSI-774) and6-acrylamido-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-(3-morpholinopropoxy)quinazolin-4-amine(CI 1033)), for example inhibitors of the platelet-derived growth factorfamily and for example inhibitors of the hepatocyte growth factorfamily;(v) antiangiogenic agents such as those which inhibit the effects ofvascular endothelial growth factor, (for example the anti-vascularendothelial cell growth factor antibody bevacizumab [Avastin™],compounds such as those disclosed in International Patent ApplicationsWO 97/22596, WO 97/30035, WO 97/32856 and WO 98/13354) and compoundsthat work by other mechanisms (for example linomide, inhibitors ofintegrin αvβ3 function and angiostatin);(vi) vascular damaging agents such as Combretastatin A4 and compoundsdisclosed in International Patent Applications WO 99/02166, WO00/40529,WO 00/41669, WO01/92224, WO02/04434 and WO02/08213;(vii) antisense therapies, for example those which are directed to thetargets listed above, such as ISIS 2503, an anti-ras antisense;(viii) gene therapy approaches, including for example approaches toreplace aberrant genes such as aberrant p53 or aberrant BRCA1 or BRCA2,GDEPT (gene-directed enzyme pro-drug therapy) approaches such as thoseusing cytosine deaminase, thymidine kinase or a bacterial nitroreductaseenzyme and approaches to increase patient tolerance to chemotherapy orradiotherapy such as multi-drug resistance gene therapy;(ix) immunotherapy approaches, including for example ex-vivo and in-vivoapproaches to increase the immunogenicity of patient tumour cells, suchas transfection with cytokines such as interleukin 2, interleukin 4 orgranulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, approaches to decreaseT-cell anergy, approaches using transfected immune cells such ascytokine-transfected dendritic cells, approaches usingcytokine-transfected tumour cell lines and approaches usinganti-idiotypic antibodies;(x) cell cycle inhibitors including for example CDK inhibitiors (egflavopiridol) and other inhibitors of cell cycle checkpoints (egcheckpoint kinase); inhibitors of aurora kinase and other kinasesinvolved in mitosis and cytokinesis regulation (eg mitotic kinesins);and other histone deacetylase inhibitors; and(xi) differentiation agents (for example retinoic acid and vitamin D).

According to this aspect of the invention there is provided apharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the formula (I) asdefined hereinbefore and an additional anti-tumour substance as definedhereinbefore for the conjoint treatment of cancer.

There is further provided is a compound of the formula (I), or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, as definedhereinbefore, for use in a method of treating inflammatory diseases,autoimmune diseases and allergic/atopic diseases.

In particular a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, as defined hereinbefore, is provided for use ina method of treating inflammation of the joint (especially rheumatoidarthritis, osteoarthritis and gout), inflammation of thegastro-intestinal tract (especially inflammatory bowel disease,ulcerative colitis and gastritis), inflammation of the skin (especiallypsoriasis, eczema, dermatitis), multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis,spondyloarthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis,arthritis connected to ulcerative colitis), AIDS-related neuropathies,systemic lupus erythematosus, asthma, chronic obstructive lung diseases,bronchitis, pleuritis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, andacute and chronic hepatitis (either viral, bacterial or toxic).

Further provided is a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore, for use asa medicament in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, autoimmunediseases and allergic/atopic diseases in a warm-blooded animal such asman.

In particular a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, as defined hereinbefore, isprovided for use as a medicament in the treatment of inflammation of thejoint (especially rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout),inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract (especially inflammatorybowel disease, ulcerative colitis and gastritis), inflammation of theskin (especially psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis), multiple sclerosis,atherosclerosis, spondyloarthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis,psoriatic arthritis, arthritis connected to ulcerative colitis),AIDS-related neuropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, asthma, chronicobstructive lung diseases, bronchitis, pleuritis, adult respiratorydistress syndrome, sepsis, and acute and chronic hepatitis (eitherviral, bacterial or toxic).

Further provided is the use of a compound of the formula (I), or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as defined hereinbefore, inthe manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of inflammatorydiseases, autoimmune diseases and allergic/atopic diseases in awarm-blooded animal such as man.

As stated above the size of the dose required for the therapeutic orprophylactic treatment of a particular cell-proliferation disease willnecessarily be varied depending on the host treated, the route ofadministration and the severity of the illness being treated. A unitdose in the range, for example, 1-100 mg/kg, preferably 1-50 mg/kg isenvisaged.

In addition to their use in therapeutic medicine, the compounds offormula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, arealso useful as pharmacological tools in the development andstandardisation of in vitro and in vivo test systems for the evaluationof the effects of inhibitors of cell cycle activity in laboratoryanimals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, monkeys, rats and mice, as part ofthe search for new therapeutic agents.

The invention will now be illustrated in the following Examples inwhich, generally:

(i) operations were carried out at ambient temperature, i.e. in therange 17 to 25° C. and under an atmosphere of an inert gas such as argonunless otherwise stated;

(ii) evaporations were carried out by rotary evaporation in vacuo andwork-up procedures were carried out after removal of residual solids byfiltration;

(iii) column chromatography (by the flash procedure) and medium pressureliquid chromatography (MPLC) were performed on Merck Kieselgel silica(Art. 9385) or Merck Lichroprep RP-18 (Art. 9303) reversed-phase silicaobtained from E. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany or using proprietorypre-packed normal phase silica cartridges, for example Redisep™disposable chromatography cartridges obtained from Presearch Ltd.,Hitchin, UK, or high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performedon C18 reverse phase silica, for example on a Dynamax C-18 60 Åpreparative reversed-phase column;

(iv) yields, where present, are not necessarily the maximum attainable;

(v) in general, the structures of the end-products of the Formula (I)were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and/or mass spectraltechniques; fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectral data were obtainedusing a Platform spectrometer and, where appropriate, either positiveion data or negative ion data were collected; NMR chemical shift valueswere measured on the delta scale proton magnetic resonance spectra weredetermined using a Jeol JNM EX 400 spectrometer operating at a fieldstrength of 400 MHz, Varian Gemini 2000 spectrometer operating at afield strength of 300 MHz, Bruker DPX-400 operating at 400 MHz or aBruker AM300 spectrometer operating at a field strength of 300MHz—measurements were taken at ambient temperature unless otherwisespecified;

(vi) intermediates were not generally fully characterised and purity wasassessed by thin layer chromatographic, HPLC, infra-red (IR) and/or NMRanalysis;

(vii) melting points are uncorrected and were determined using a MettlerSP62 automatic melting point apparatus or an oil-bath apparatus; meltingpoints for the end-products of the formula (I) were determined aftercrystallisation from a conventional organic solvent such as ethanol,methanol, acetone, ether or hexane, alone or in admixture;

(viii) the following abbreviations have been used:—

-   -   DMSO dimethylsulphoxide    -   THF tetrahydrofuran    -   DIPEA N,N-diisopropylethylamine    -   IPA isopropylalcohol    -   Boc/BOC tert butyloxycarbonyl    -   HCl hydrochloric acid    -   Cbz/CBZ benzyloxycarbonyl    -   Tf trifluoromethylsulphonyl    -   LiHMDS lithium hexamethyldisilazide    -   N-phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide)    -   DME 1,2-dimethoxyethane    -   CDMT 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine

EXAMPLE 1N-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide

To a reaction vessel charged with 1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxaldehyde(84.5 mg, 0.77 mmol) was added a solution of tert-butyl2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (prepared as describedin Method 1 below; 300 mg, 0.76 mmol) in dichloromethane (7 ml) andN,N-dimethylformamide (0.5 ml). tert-Butyl2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate may also be preparedaccording to the process described in Method 4 below. Acetic acid (50μl, 0.87 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture allowed to stir atambient temperature for 45 minutes. Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (250mg, 1.18 mmol) was then added and reactions allowed to stir for afurther 76 hours, before being diluted with methanol and poured directlyonto an SCX-2 cartridge (10 g). The cartridge was washed through withmethanol (80 ml) before eluting the products with a 2M solution ofammonia in methanol (50 ml). The relevant fractions were evaporated todryness and the resultant residue redissolved in dichloromethane (3 ml)and treated with trifluoroacetic acid (1 ml). This mixture was stirredat ambient temperature for 2 hours before diluting with dichloromethaneand pouring onto an SCX-2 cartridge (5 g). The cartridge was washed withmethanol (20 ml) then products eluted with a 2M solution of ammonia inmethanol (20 ml). The ammoniacal fraction was evaporated to dryness andthe resultant residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica,eluting with 10% methanol in dichloromethane, to afford the titlecompound (117 mg, 40%); NMR Spectrum: (DMSO d₆) δ 1.70 (m, 4H), 2.01 (t,2H), 2.57 (m, 1H), 2.95 (m, 2H), 3.38 (s, 2H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 4.86 (s,2H), 6.60 (m, 1H), 6.78 (m, 1H), 6.97 (m, 1H), 7.18 (m, 1H), 7.31 (s,1H), 7.37 (d, 2H), 7.57 (s, 1H), 7.91 (d, 2H), 9.56 (s, 1H); MassSpectrum: M+H⁺390.

EXAMPLE 2

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 1, tert-butyl2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate was reacted with theappropriate pyrazolecarbaldehyde starting material (SM) to give thecompounds described in Table 1

TABLE 1

Example R Analytical Data SM 2A

NMR Spectrum: (CDCl₃) δ 1.81 (m,4 H), 2.07 (m, 2 H), 2.25 (s, 3 H),2.56(m, 1 H), 3.04 (m, 2 H), 3.39 (s, 2 H),3.81 (s, 3 H), 3.85 (s, 2 H),6.84 (m,2 H), 7.08 (m, 1 H), 7.24 (s, 1 H), 7.33(m, 3 H), 7.82 (m, 3H).Mass Spectrum: M + Na⁺ 426. Commerciallyavailable 2B

NMR Spectrum: (DMSO d₆) δ 1.67(m, 2 H), 1.78 (m, 2 H), 2.08 (m, 5H),2.59 (m, 1 H), 2.93 (m, 2 H), 3.48 (s,2 H), 3.74 (s, 3 H), 4.86 (s, 2H), 5.92(s, 1 H), 6.60 (m, 1 H), 6.78 (m, 1 H),6.97 (m, 1 H), 7.17 (m, 1H), 7.38 (d,2 H), 7.91 (d, 2 H), 9.56 (s, 1 H); MassSpectrum: M + Na⁺426. Commerciallyavailable

EXAMPLE 3N-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-[1-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl]benzamide

tert-Butyl 2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (preparedas described in Method 1 below; 200 mg, 0.51 mmol) and1H-pyrazole-3-carbaldehyde (50.7 mg, 0.53 mmol) were stirred at ambienttemperature in dichloromethane (5 ml) for 1 hour. Sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride (150 mg, 0.71 mmol) was added and the mixturestirred at ambient temperature for 48 hours. The resulting solution wasabsorbed onto an SCX-2 column, which was washed with methanol (2 columnvolumes) and then the product eluted with a 2M solution of ammonia inmethanol (2 column volumes) to give a foam. This was dissolved in1,4-dioxane (2 ml), a 4M solution of hydrogen chloride in 1,4-dioxane (2ml) was added and the solution stirred at ambient temperature for 48hours. The product was filtered and washed with diethyl ether andair-dried. The resulting solid was dissolved in water, basified with 2Nsodium hydroxide and the resulting solid filtered, washed with water anddried under vacuum to give the title compound (61 mg, 44%). NMRSpectrum: ¹H NMR (DMSO d₆) δ 1.71 (m, 4H), 2.07 (m, 2H), 2.56 (m, 1H),2.95 (m, 2H), 3.53 (s, 2H), 4.86 (s, 2H), 6.16 (s, 1H), 6.60 (m, 1H),6.78 (d, 1H), 6.97 (t, 1H), 7.18 (d, 1H), 7.37 (d, 2H), 7.64 (m, 1H),7.91 (d, 2H), 9.55 (s, 1H), 12.59 (m, 1H); Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺376.

EXAMPLE 4N-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(5-methoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 3, tert-butyl2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (prepared as describedin Method 1 below; 200 mg, 0.51 mmol) was reacted with5-methoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde (92.6 mg, 0.60 mmol)to give the title compound (68 mg, 36%); NMR Spectrum: (DMSO d₆) δ 1.63(m, 2H), 1.78 (m, 2H), 2.00 (m, 2H), 2.06 (s, 3H), 2.57 (m, 1H), 2.94(m, 2H), 3.25 (s, 2H), 3.50 (s, 3H), 3.99 (s, 3H), 4.86 (br s, 2H), 6.60(m, 1H), 6.78 (d, 1H), 6.97 (m, 1H), 7.17 (d, 1H), 7.37 (d, 2H), 7.91(d, 2H), 9.55 (s, 1H); Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺434.

EXAMPLE 5N-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(3-ethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide

tert-Butyl 2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (preparedas described in Method 1 below; 395 mg, 1.0 mmol) and3-ethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde (149 mg, 1.2 mmol) were stirred atambient temperature in dichloromethane (10 ml) for 1 hour. Sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride (297 mg, 1.4 mmol) was added and the mixturestirred at ambient temperature for 24 hours. The resulting solution wasabsorbed onto an SCX-2 column which was washed with methanol (2 columnvolumes) and then the product eluted with a 2M solution of ammonia inmethanol (2 column volumes) to give the product as a white foam. Thiswas purified by chromatography on silica eluting with 10% methanol indichloromethane. The residue was dissolved in dichloromethane (4 ml) andtrifluoroacetic acid (1 ml) was added and the mixture stirred for 3hours at ambient temperature. The resulting solution was absorbed ontoan SCX-2 column which was washed with methanol (2 column volumes) andthen the product eluted with a 2M solution of ammonia in methanol (2column volumes) to give the title compound (232 mg, 75%). NMR Spectrum:(DMSO d₆) δ 1.18 (t, 3H), 1.65 (m, 2H), 1.77 (m, 2H), 2.00 (m, 2H), 2.57(m, 3H), 2.95 (m, 2H), 3.34 (s, 2H), 4.86 (br s, 2H), 6.60 (m, 1H), 6.78(d, 1H), 6.97 (m, 1H), 7.17 (d, 1H), 7.29 (br s, 1H), 7.37 (d, 2H), 7.91(d, 2H), 9.55 (s, 1H), 12.39 (s, 1H); Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺404.

EXAMPLE 6N-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,3,5-trimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 5, tert-butyl2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (prepared as describedin Method 1 below; 200 mg, 0.51 mmol) was reacted with1,3,5-trimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde (83.5 mg, 0.60 mmol) to givethe title compound (70 mg, 56%); NMR Spectrum: (DMSO d6) δ 1.65 (m, 2H),1.77 (m, 2H), 1.98 (m, 2H), 2.09 (s, 3H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 2.57 (m, 1H),2.92 (m, 2H), 3.24 (s, 2H), 3.63 (s, 3H), 4.86 (br s, 2H), 6.60 (m, 1H),6.78 (d, 1H), 6.97 (m, 1H), 7.17 (d, 1H), 7.37 (d, 2H), 7.91 (d, 2H),9.55 (s, 1H); Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺418.

EXAMPLE 7AN-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide

tert-Butyl(2-{[4-(1-{1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl}piperidin-4-yl)benzoyl]amino}phenyl)carbamate(prepared as described in Method 6 below; 7.61 g, 15.11 mmol) wasdissolved in 1,4 dioxane (70 ml) and cooled to 0° C., using an ice-waterbath. A 4M solution of hydrogen chloride in 1,4 dioxane (150 ml, 600mmol) was then added slowly. The resultant suspension was allowed towarm to room temperature and lumps broken up by agitation with a glassrod. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours.The mixture was filtered, under suction. The solid obtained wasdissolved in water (200 ml), and the solution adjusted to pH 12 by slowaddition of a 2M aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. The mixtureobtained was extracted with dichloromethane (300 ml) and the organicsseparated. The aqueous phase was further extracted with dichloromethane(200 ml) and the combined extracts washed with brine, dried overmagnesium sulphate, filtered and evaporated to give a clear gum. The gumwas taken up in diethyl ether and re-evaporated to dryness to afford thetitle compound (5.69 g, 93%); NMR Spectrum (CDCl₃) δ 1.81 (m, 4H), 2.07(m, 2H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.56 (m, 1H), 3.04 (m, 2H), 3.39 (s, 2H), 3.81(s, 3H), 3.85 (s, 2H), 6.84 (m, 2H), 7.08 (m, 1H), 7.24 (s, 1H), 7.33(m, 3H), 7.82 (m, 3H).

Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺404.

EXAMPLE 7BN-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide

tert-Butyl(2-{[4-(1-{1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl}piperidin-4-yl)benzoyl]amino}phenyl)carbamate(Method 6 below; 92.3 g, 183.3 mmol) was slurried in methanol (754 ml)and water (141 ml) and cooled to 0-5° C. Concentrated hydrochloric acidwas added maintaining the temperature below 20° C. The reaction mixturewas stirred for 20 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction was cooledto 0-5° C. and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution added maintaining thetemperature at below 20° C. until a pH of 12-14 is obtained. Thereaction mixture was heated to reflux temperature for 30 minutes beforecooling to 20° C. over about 4 hours. The product was collected byfiltration and washed with aqueous methanol before being dried in vacuoat 45° C. to constant weight to give the title compound (63.3 g 86%).

NMR Spectrum (DMSO d₆), 1.65 (m, 2H), 1.73 (m, 2H), 1.96 (t, 2H), 2.08(s, 3H), 2.55 (m, 1H), 2.92 (d, 2H), 3.28 (s, 2H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 4.87(s, 2H), 6.59 (m, 1H), 6.77 (m, 1H), 6.96 (m, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.35 (d,2H), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.90 (d, 2H), 9.56 (s, 1H).

Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺404.

EXAMPLE 8N-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide

tert-Butyl{2-[(4-{1-[(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzoyl)amino]phenyl}carbamate(prepared as described in Method 7; 308 mg, 0.61 mmol) was taken up indichloromethane (2 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (1 ml) added. Thereaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hour beforebeing poured onto an SCX-3 cartridge (5 g). The cartridge was washedwith dichloromethane (50 ml) and methanol (50 ml), before eluting theproduct with a 2M solution of ammonia in methanol (50 ml). Theammoniacal fraction was evaporated to afford a white solid (182 mg) thatwas purified by reverse phase preparative HPLC to afford the titlecompound (134 mg, 55%); NMR Spectrum: (DMSO d₆) δ 1.70 (m, 4H), 2.01 (m,2H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.57 (m, 1H), 2.95 (m, 2H), 3.28 (s, 2H), 3.71 (s,3H), 4.86 (s, 2H), 6.60 (m, 1H), 6.78 (m, 1H), 6.97 (m, 1H), 7.17 (m,1H), 7.23 (s, 1H), 7.37 (d, 2H), 7.90 (d, 2H), 9.55 (s, 1H); MassSpectrum: M+H⁺404.

EXAMPLE 9N-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-ethyl-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide

A solution of 1-ethyl-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde (141 mg, 1.02mmol) in dichloromethane (1 ml) was added to a solution of tert-butyl2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (prepared as describedin Method 1 below; 300 mg, 0.76 mmol) in dichloromethane (6.5 ml).Acetic acid (45 μl, 0.79 mmol) was added and reaction mixture stirredfor 4 hours. N,N-dimethylformamide (1 ml) was then added and stirringcontinued for a further 30 minutes before addition of sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride (245 mg, 1.16 mmol) as a solid. The reactionmixture was then allowed to stir at ambient temperature for 18 hours(overnight). The reaction mixture was diluted to double volume byaddition of methanol and poured directly onto a pre-washed (withmethanol) SCX-2 cartridge (10 g). Cartridge was washed with methanol (60ml) before eluting products with a 2M ammonia solution in methanol (50ml). The ammoniacal eluant was evaporated to give a colourless gum (420mg), which was taken up in dichloromethane (5 ml) and treated withtrifluoroacetic acid (2 ml). The mixture was allowed to stir for 2 hoursbefore diluting with dichlormethane (10 ml) and pouring onto apre-washed (with methanol) SCX-2 cartridge (10 g). The cartridge waswashed through with dichloromethane (40 ml), methanol (50 ml) and thenproducts eluted with a 2M solution of ammonia in methanol (50 ml).Evaporation of the ammoniacal fraction afforded a pale yellow gum (300mg), which was purified by reverse phase preparative HPLC to afford thetitle compound (172 mg, 54%); NMR Spectrum: (DMSO d₆) δ 1.27 (t, 3H),1.66 (m, 4H), 1.98 (m, 2H), 2.21 (s, 3H), 2.56 (m, 1H), 2.92 (m, 2H),3.29 (s, 2H), 4.02 (q, 2H), 4.85 (s, 2H), 6.59 (m, 1H), 6.77 (m, 1H),6.95 (m, 1H), 7.16 (m, 1H), 7.23 (s, 1H), 7.35 (d, 2H), 7.89 (d, 2H),9.54 (s, 1H); Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺418.

EXAMPLES 10 AND 11

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 9, tert-butyl2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (prepared as describedin Method 1 below) was reacted with the appropriate pyrazolecarbaldehydestarting material to give the compounds described in Table 2.

TABLE 2

Example R Analytical Data SM 10

NMR Spectrum: (DMSO d₆) δ 1.35(t, 3 H), 1.68 (m, 4 H), 1.99 (m, 2H),2.56 (m, 1 H), 2.94 (m, 2 H), 3.32 (s,2 H), 4.08 (q, 2 H), 4.85 (s, 2H), 6.58(m, 1 H), 6.77 (m, 1 H), 6.95 (m, 1 H),7.16 (m, 1 H), 7.31 (s, 1H), 7.36 (d,2 H), 7.60 (s, 1 H), 7.89 (d, 2 H), 9.54(s, 1 H); MassSpectrum: M + H⁺ 404 Commerciallyavailable 11

NMR Spectrum: (DMSO d₆) δ 1.32(t, 3 H), 1.67 (m, 4 H), 1.98 (m, 2H),2.12 (s, 3 H), 2.56 (m, 1 H), 2.92 (m,2 H), 3.28 (s, 2 H), 3.99 (q, 2H), 4.85(s, 2 H), 6.58 (m, 1 H), 6.77 (m, 1 H),6.95 (m, 1 H), 7.16 (m, 1H), 7.35 (d,2 H), 7.47 (s, 1 H), 7.89 (d, 2 H), 9.54(s, 1 H); MassSpectrum: M + H⁺ 418 Commerciallyavailable

Method Section—Preparation of Starting Materials Method 1 tert-Butyl{2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenyl}carbamate

To a solution of benzyl4-{4-[({2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]phenyl}amino)carbonyl]phenyl}-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate(269 g, 524 mmol; prepared as described in Method 2 below) in methanol(3000 ml) was added 10% palladium on charcoal (10 g). The reactionmixture was placed under 5 bar pressure of hydrogen gas and heated to50° C. for 1 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature,filtered through a pad of celite and the solvent evaporated underreduced pressure. The resultant foam was triturated under diethyl etherand filtered to give a white solid. This product was ground finely andstirred with 95:5 diethyl ether/ethyl acetate then collected by suctionfiltration. This solid was washed with diethyl ether, isohexane anddried in vacuo to afford the title compound (167 g, 81%); NMR Spectrum:(DMSO-d₆) 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.57 (m, 2H), 1.72 (m, 2H), 2.61 (t, 2H), 2.69(m, 1H), 3.07 (m, 2H), 7.18 (m, 2H), 7.40 (d, 2H), 7.53 (d, 2H), 7.91(d, 2H), 8.70 (br s, 1H), 9.82 (br s, 1H); Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺396.

Method 2 Benzyl4-{4-[({2-[(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]phenyl}amino)carbonyl]phenyl}-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (8.0 g, 6.92 mmol) was added toa stirred suspension ofN-(2-t-butoxycarbonylaminophenyl)-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2,-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzamide(288 g, 657 mmol; prepared as described in International PatentPublication number WO 03/087057, Method 13, page 60) and benzyl4-{[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]oxy}-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate(240 g, 657 mmol; prepared as described in Method 3 below) in1,2-dimethoxyethane (3000 ml) and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonatesolution (3000 ml). The reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. for 7 h,before being allowed to cool to ambient temperature, with stirring. Thereaction mixture was then poured onto water (2000 ml) and extracted withethyl acetate. The organic extracts were then dried over magnesiumsulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness to give the crude product asa grey solid. This was purified by flash column chromatography onsilica, eluting with ethyl acetate/hexane (30:70 v/v) to afford thetitle compound (279 g, 82%); NMR Spectrum: (DMSO-d₆) δ 1.44 (s, 9H),2.56 (m, 2H), 3.66 (m, 2H), 4.14 (m, 2H), 5.13 (s, 2H), 6.34 (m, 1H),7.18 (m, 2H), 7.33 (m, 1H), 7.40 (m, 4H), 7.54 (m, 2H), 7.62 (d, 2H),7.94 (d, 2H), 8.64 (br s, 1H), 9.81 (br s, 1H); Mass Spectrum: MNa⁺ 550.

Method 3 Benzyl4-{[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]oxy}-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate

Benzyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate (147 g, 630 mmol) was dissolved intetrahydrofuran (500 ml), under an atmosphere of nitrogen. This solutionwas added, dropwise over 2 hours, to a stirred solution of lithiumhexamethyldisilazide (20% solution in tetrahydrofuran, 556 ml, 662 mmol)under nitrogen maintaining the reaction temperature below −70° C. Thereaction mixture was allowed to stir at −75° C. for a further 1 hourbefore dropwise addition over 2 hours, of a solution ofN-phenyl-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonimide) (236 g, 661 mmol) intetrahydrofuran (950 ml) again maintaining the reaction temperaturebelow −70° C. The reaction was then allowed to warm to room temperatureovernight followed by portionwise addition of 2M aqueous sodiumhydroxide solution (800 ml). The layers were separated and the organiclayer was washed with further 2M aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (600ml), before evaporation to dryness. The resulting solid was dissolved indiethyl ether and washed with water. The organic layer was then filteredthrough celite, dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated to dryness toafford the title compound (140 g, 61%), which was taken through to thenext stage without further purification.

Method 4 tert-butyl {2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenyl}carbamate(alternative method)

To tert-butyl {2-[4-pyrid-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenyl}carbamate (20 g,51.35 mmol; prepared as described in Method 5A or 5B below), 10%palladium on charcoal (3.17 g) and citric acid (4.75 g, 24.65 mmol) wasadded water (80 ml) and IPA (80 ml). The reaction mixture was placedunder 4 bar pressure of hydrogen gas and heated to 70° C. for 5 hours.The reaction mixture was cooled to 50° C. and filtered through a pad ofCelite. The mixture was heated to 70° C. before 20% w/w aqueous sodiumhydroxide solution was added (15 ml) over 10 minutes to pH 10-11.Further water (30 ml) was added then the mixture cooled to 40° C. over 1hour, then re-heated to 60° C. for 30 minutes before cooling back toambient temperature. The resultant precipitate was collected byfiltration, washed with water (2×20 ml) and dried in vacuo, at 50° C.,to afford the title compound (17.6 g, 84%);

NMR Spectrum: (DMSO-d₆) δ 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.53 (m, 2H), 1.70 (m, 2H), 2.58(m, 1H), 2.66 (m, 2H), 3.03 (m, 2H), 3.31 (br s, 1H), 7.17 (m, 2H), 7.35(d, 2H), 7.54 (m, 2H), 7.89 (d, 2H), 8.65 (br s, 1H), 9.75 (br s, 1H).

Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺396.

Method 5A tert-Butyl {2-[4-pyrid-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenyl}carbamate

To sodium 4-(4-pyridyl)benzoate (55.2 g, 236.2 mmol), boc o-phenylenediamine (45.7 g. 217.6 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (24 ml) inacetonitrile (300 ml) was added a screened solution of2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine (48.5 g, 270.5 mmol) inacetonitrile (152 ml) over 3 hours. The mixture was stirred for 22 hoursbefore water (460 ml) was added. The resultant precipitate was collectedby filtration, washed with 50% aqueous acetonitrile (3×100 ml) and driedin vacuo, at 50° C., to afford the title compound (75.6 g, 90%);

NMR Spectrum: (DMSO-d₆): 61.45 (s, 9H), 7.17 (m, 2H), 7.56 (m, 2H), 7.81(d, 2H), 7.99 (d, 2H), 8.11 (d, 2H), 8.69 (d, 2H), 9.94 (br s, 1H).

Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺390.

Method 5B tert-Butyl {2-[4-pyrid-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenyl}carbamate

Sodium 4-(4-pyridyl)benzoate (10 g, 45.2 mmol) in acetonitrile (60 ml)was heated to 70° C. then thionyl chloride (6.6 ml, 90.4 mmol) wasadded. The reaction was heated at reflux temperature for 5 hours beforebeing cooled to ambient temperature. Triethylamine (12.6 ml, 90.4 mmol)was added cautiously followed by a warmed solution of Boc o-phenylenediamine (9.42 g, 45.2 mmol) in acetonitrile (15 ml) being added over 10minutes. A solution of sodium hydroxide (8.6 g, 109 mmol) in water (60ml) was added and the resultant solid collected by filtration, washedwith water (20 ml) and dried in vacuo, at 50° C., to afford the titlecompound (12.6 g, 68%).

NMR Spectrum: (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.45 (s, 9H), (7.17 (m, 2H), 7.56 (m, 2H),7.81 (d, 2H), 7.99 (d, 2H), 8.11 (d, 2H) 8.69 (d, 2H), 9.94 (br s, 1H).

Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺390.

Method 6A tert-Butyl(2-{[4-(1-{1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl}piperidin-4-yl)benzoyl]amino}phenyl)carbamate

tert-Butyl 2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (6.83 g,17.3 mmol) and 1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde (3.0 g, 24.2mmol) were dissolved in dichloromethane (150 ml). Acetic acid (996 μl,17.3 mmol) was then added and the reaction mixture allowed to stir atroom temperature for four hours. Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (5.49 g,25.9 mmol) was then added and reaction mixture stirred for a further 18hours. Saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (300 ml) was thencarefully added followed by dichloromethane (100 ml). The organic layerwas separated and the aqueous layer re-extracted with moredichloromethane (150 ml). The combined organic extracts were dried overmagnesium sulphate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residueobtained was purified by flash chromatography on silica, eluting with a5% (v/v) solution of methanol in dichloromethane followed by a risinggradient of 5-10% (v/v) methanol in dichloromethane to afford a cleargum, which was taken up in diethyl ether and evaporated to dryness toafford the title compound (7.61 g, 87%); NMR Spectrum: (DMSO d₆) δ 1.43(s, 9H), 1.69 (m, 4H), 1.98 (m, 2H), 2.10 (s, 3H), 2.56 (m, 1H), 2.92(m, 2H), 3.26 (s, 2H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 7.15 (m, 2H), 7.40 (m, 3H), 7.52(m, 2H), 7.87 (d, 2H), 8.60 (s, 1H), 9.73 (s, 1H); Mass Spectrum:M+H⁺504.

Method 6B tert-Butyl(2-{[4-(1-{1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl}piperidin-4-yl)benzoyl]amino}phenyl)carbamate

tert-Butyl 2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (preparedas described in Method 4 above; 108.1 g, 273.3 mmol),1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde (35.6 g, 287 mmol) and palladiumon charcoal (3.09 g, 1.37 mmol) were charged to a suitable pressurevessel. Tetrahydrofuran (920 ml), water (54 ml) and acetic acid (32.8 g,546.7 mmol) were charged and the stirred mixture heated to 60° C. under3 bar of hydrogen until the reaction deemed complete. The mixture wasthen cooled to 40° C. and 2 M sodium hydroxide solution (410 ml, 820mmol) added. On cooling to 25° C. the mixture was filtered to removecatalyst before tetrahydrofuran (650 ml) was added and the organic phaseseparated. The organic phase was partially concentrated by distillationbefore toluene (575 ml) was added. The distillation was continued whilstmaintaining the reaction volume with further addition of toluene (690ml). The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to ambient temperatureover about 3 hours during which the product crystallizes. The solid wascollected by filtration, washed with toluene (460 ml), then ethylacetate (230 ml) before being dried in vacuo at 45° C. to constantweight to give the title compound (114.9 g, 83%).

Spectrum: (DMSO d₆), δ 1.434(s, 9H), 1.70 (m, 4H), 1.98 (m, 2H), 2.11(s, 3H), 2.56 (m, 1H), 2.93 (m, 2H), 3.28 (s, 2H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 7.16(m, 2H), 7.40 (m, 3H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.87 (d, 2H), 8.60 (s, 1H), 9.73(s, 1H); Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺504.

Method 7 tert-Butyl{2-[(4-{1-[(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzoyl)amino]phenyl}carbamate

1,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde (114 mg, 0.92 mmol) was added toa solution of tert-butyl2-[(4-piperidin-4-ylbenzoyl)amino]phenylcarbamate (289 mg, 0.73 mmol) indichloromethane (6 ml) followed by acetic acid (50 μl, 0.87 mmol). Thereaction mixture was allowed to stir under nitrogen for 2.5 hours.Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (233 mg, 1.10 mmol) was added and thereaction mixture allowed to stir, at ambient temperature, for 18 hours(overnight). Saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (10 ml) wasthen added to the reaction and allowed to stir for 15 minutes. Theorganic phase was separated and the aqueous phase re-extracted withdichloromethane (10 ml). The combined organics were washed with water,dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated to dryness to afford theproduct as a colourless gum (308 mg, 84%), which was used withoutfurther purification; Mass Spectrum: M+H⁺504.

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein R¹ is a C-linked pyrazole ring, which is optionally substitutedby one or more groups selected from C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₄cycloalkyl,C₁₋₄alkoxy and C₃₋₄cycloalkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 of formula (IA)

where R² is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl or C₃₋₄cycloalkyl, and R³ and R⁵ areindependently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, C₃₋₄cycloalkyl,C₁₋₄alkoxy or C₃₋₄cycloalkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof.
 3. A compound according to claim 1 of formula (IB)

where R², R³ and R⁵ are as defined in claim 2; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 4. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R²is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, cyclopropyl, methylcyclopropyl orcyclobutyl.
 5. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R² is hydrogen,methyl or ethyl.
 6. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R³ and R⁵are independently selected from are hydrogen methyl, ethyl, propyl,cyclopropyl, methylcyclopropyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy orcyclopropoxy.
 7. A compound according to claim 2 wherein R³ and R⁵ areindependently selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or methoxy.
 8. Acompound according to claim 2 wherein at least one group selected fromR², R³ and R⁵ is other than hydrogen.
 9. A compound according to claim 1which is selected from anyone of the following:N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-[1-(1H-pyrazol-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl]benzamide;N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(5-methoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(3-ethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,3,5-trimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;N-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;N-(2-Aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-ethyl-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-ethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamide;N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-{1-[(1-ethyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}benzamideor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. A pharmaceuticalcomposition which comprises a compound according to claim 1, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with apharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier.
 11. (canceled) 12.(canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. A method for producing a HDAC inhibitoryeffect in a warm-blooded animal in need of such treatment whichcomprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compoundas claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.15. (canceled)
 16. A method for producing a cell cycle inhibitory(anti-cell-proliferation) effect in a warm-blooded animal in need ofsuch treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effectiveamount of a compound as claimed in claim 1 or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 17. A method of treating cancer in awarm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment whichcomprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compoundas claimed in claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 18.(canceled)
 19. A process for preparing a compound as claimed in claim 1,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which process compriseseither: (a) the reaction of a compound of formula (II)

wherein the aniline moiety may be appropriately protected; with acompound of the formula (III)R¹CHO  (III) in the presence of a reducing agent, wherein R¹ is asdefined in claim 1; or (b) the reaction of a compound of formula (II) asdefined above with a compound of formula (IV)R¹CH₂X  (IV) in the presence of a suitable base; wherein R¹ is asdefined in claim 1 and X is a reactive group; and thereafter, ifnecessary, removing any residual protecting groups that may be present.20. A process of preparing a compound of formula (II)

which comprises either: (i) the reaction, in the presence of a suitablebase, of a compound of the formula (V),

wherein the aniline may be appropriately protected and X is a reactivegroup, with a compound of the formula (VI)

wherein M is a metal, L is a ligand, integer z is 0 to 3, and thetetrahydropyridine ring may be protected; or (ii) the reaction, in thepresence of a suitable base, of a compound of the formula (VII), whereinthe aniline and the tetrahydropyridine may be appropriately protectedand M, L and z are as defined above,

with a compound of Formula (VIII):

wherein X is a reactive group; and thereafter, if necessary, and in anysuitable order or combination: (a) removing any protecting groups fromthe tetrahydropyridine, and/or (b) reduction of the tetrahydropyridineto piperidine and/or (c) removing any residual protecting groupspresent.
 21. A process of preparing a compound of formula (II)

which comprises: the reaction, in the presence of a suitable solvent, ofa compound of formula (IX), wherein Q₁ is —OH, —Cl, or —O⁻ Q₂ ⁺ (whereinQ₂ ⁺ is a cation)

with a compound of formula (X)

and wherein one of the amino groups in the compound of formula (X) maybe protected; to form a compound of formula (XI)

wherein the aniline may be protected; and thereafter: converting thecompound of formula (XI) to a compound of formula (II) by reducing thepyrindin-4-yl ring to a piperidine-4-yl ring using a suitable reducingagent and/or suitable reducing conditions; and optionally removing anyresidual protecting groups present.